2001 Wide Glide 3,500 mi.

2007 Wide Glide 15,000 mi.

(money don't matter)

Which would you buy and why.........................

 

Personally? I like the 2001 for a few reasons; the low mileage is just a bonus.

The '01 model has a better looking rear fender/tail.
I believe the '01 still has a solid crank which lends itself to power mods much better than the pinned crank of the later models.
The '01 is carbed.

 

BTW, both bikes would be considered low mileage. I wouldn't hesitate on either bike based on mileage.

 

Thanks for the opinion on the miles.
Didn't know that about the crank, I'll definitely want to do some motor work eventually.
Seems like you're a carb man?

 

I'm with SLV for similar reasons. Both are nice bikes, but 2002 was the last year of the forged HD cranks before they outsourced them to China in 2003. CV carb bikes are nice for just changing jets rather than buying a fuel managment system as you make upgrades, and the 2001 bike still had the Timken bearings on the left side of the case rather than the roller bearings that they moved to in 2003 (no pun intended on the "moved" word, although roller bearing setups do tend to add to the runout problems).

Again, both nice bikes with low mileage and each have their pros and cons. I just prefer the things mentioned above if I have a choice - which is why I recently bought a 2002 Fatboy to add to the stable. Heck, I even put CV carbs on all my Shovel and Pan projects...

 

I would go with the 01. For all the above mentioned items.

 

01...just be sure and check cam tensioners..i have a 01 fxdl...love it

 

All good info guys, much appreciated.
At how many miles should I start checking the tensioners?

 

it really varies...it would be the first thing to check on my list ..then ride it like ya stole that biotch...lol...a good upgrade is the se hydraulic cam plate/tensioners with new oil pump ...what I got in mine

 

2001 sounds good except the mileage.
3,500 miles in 13 years would have me concerned.
Sitting that long a lot of things would have to be replace. Possibly a engine rebuild may take place in a short time. A lot of seals has dried and may need to be corrected.
Now if you are planing a engine build that would be different.
Fork seals, fork oil, swing arm bushings(maybe), all fluids , tires, carb work etcc. needs to be considered. Unless I get a super deal on one that old with that few of miles as it is I would consider the 07.